In Indonesia, violent protests over lavish perks for politicians left six dead and forced the government into a U-turn, while in Pakistan, similar salary hikes for ministers, the Speaker, and Senate chairman passed without resistance, reflecting a divided society and muted media response amid growing economic hardships.
By Imran Malik
MediaBites — In Indonesia, widespread outrage over lavish perks for lawmakers turned deadly, with at least six people killed and 20 reported missing in violent protests demanding reversal of the pay raises. In contrast, Pakistan’s silent acceptance of massive increases in politicians’ salaries has raised concerns about the country’s divided public response.
In Indonesia, demonstrators took to the streets in cities across Java and Jakarta after lawmakers approved hefty allowances. Clashes with police left dozens missing and confirmed six deaths, prompting President Prabowo Subianto to rescind the pay adjustments. Human rights groups reported 23 missing persons, 20 of whom remain unaccounted for, and over 1,200 arrests.
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, lawmakers approved a staggering salary hike, raising monthly pay from PKR 180,000 to PKR 519,000 — a 188% increase — in early 2025. In Punjab, provincial lawmakers received raises up to 860%. Despite the economic crisis and widespread inflation, the moves sparked minimal public protest, and media coverage remained tepid.
Federal and provincial government employees demanded protests of their own—calling for salary parity, allowance increases, and pension reforms—but they received limited traction compared to the swift, violent backlash in Indonesia.
The contrast is striking: In Indonesia, citizens’ defiance forced government rollback; in Pakistan, politicians’ self-enrichment passed largely unchallenged—suggesting deeper societal fractures and a lack of unified civic engagement over issues of inequality.
